Russia’s esports market is heating up

2018 so far has saw some major moves in the Russian esports realm, which has emerged as a sizable European market with established players operating globally.

Last week, Mail.Ru Group — an LSE-listed Internet company which controls the largest Russian-language social networks and a range of online gaming companies — announced the acquisition of ESforce. This company, which generates around 60% of its revenues in euros and US dollars, owns two world-class clubs:  SK and Virtus Pro. It also controls 14 websites; 209 social media groups and video production studios; the event organizer Epic eSports Events; CyberBase, the largest eSports global database; as well as trading and analytics platforms.